THE 2024 SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES REPORT OF THE LANCET COUNTDOWN ON HEALTH AND CLIMATE CHANGE

The 2024 Lancet Countdown report emphasises the significant loss and damage experienced by small island developing states (SIDS) due to climate change, particularly affecting health in vulnerable regions like the Pacific, Caribbean, and Indian Ocean. These states have been grappling with increasing heat exposure – especially endangering infants and older adults – leading to a troubling doubling of heat-attributable deaths from 2000-2005 to 2017-2022, which has resulted in substantial economic losses. Food insecurity is worsening due to a reliance on unhealthy diets and climate-related challenges, such as extreme heat and drought, which strain health systems and highlight the need for resilient agricultural practices. While some adaptations are underway, such as urban greening, they have not sufficiently alleviated the rising temperatures or economic pressures on labor-intensive sectors like agriculture and tourism. Many SIDS still depend on fossil fuels, complicating access to clean energy, and as marine ecosystems face threats from rising temperatures and overfishing, a shift towards renewable energy and sustainable practices is essential for enhancing health and resilience in these vulnerable regions.